FASHION Magazine

Come spring, I like to let loose, literally. This drape-y, raw-edged dress by Philippe Dubuc pour Icône allows me to run around town in easy-breezy style, similar to the label’s newest face, model Irina Lazareanu.

Old Montreal is sizzling these days. Whether  it’s for cinq-à-sept cocktails, gallery-hopping  or moonlit dinners, I often find myself there and invariably my credit card gets a workout.

Marie Saint Pierre’s (mariesaintpierre.com) new eau de parfum duo ($125 each) is mysteriously named B and C. “For me, B stands for bois [wood] while C is for cuir [leather], which are the scents’ primary ingredients, but each woman is free to interpret the perfumes as she feels,” says Saint Pierre.

You’ve considered jeggings, but you’re still holding out. Montreal-based Domino (514-388-8830, dominojeans.com) might convince you with a five-pocket spandex/cotton pant that boasts the chic factor of skinnies with the stretchy comfort of leggings—and no dreaded elastic waistband.

If you could walk a mile in my shoes (and I’m talking four-inch heels here), your feet would jump for joy.

For my March break getaway, I’ll be packing a frilly little number like this one by Montreal-based chain Dynamite ($40, dynamite.ca). By day, I can work it on the beach with flip-flops and a sunhat à la Brigitte Bardot, then dress it up post-sunset with strappy sandals and glam red lipstick.

There’s been plenty of action on Laurier Avenue lately: Salon Orbite (221 Laurier Ave. W., 514-271-6333, orbite.com) just got a futuristic reno; dandy den Michel Brisson (1074 Laurier Ave. W., 514-270-1012, michelbrisson.com) moved a couple of blocks east; and Billie (1012 Laurier Ave. W., 514-270-5415, billieboutique.com) has taken over this chic space.

I’ve been a fan of local twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart since 2004, when they started Want Les Essentiels de la Vie (wantessentials.com), an haute accessories line for jetsetters. Each of the cult products carries the name of an airport—for Spring 2011, it seems they’re in a Chicago state of mind, given the retro styling of the O’Hare shopper tote (shown).

Kick off the new season with this gold-tinted transparent raincoat by Ben & Diction (1215 Bernard Ave. W., 514-564-6575, benetdiction.com).

Stylist turned designer Rad Hourani (radhourani.com) has a cult following for his unisex, seasonless clothing, sold at Reborn (231 St-Paul St. W., Suite 100, 514-499-8549, reborn.ws). He recently debuted a fragrance, and is launching a shoe collaboration with Aldo. Although the Montreal expat now commutes between Paris and New York (but manufactures his lines here), he says the universe is his home. It’s true—he’s out of this world.

Montreal designer Denis Gagnon (www.denisgagnon.ca) gave FASHION the exclusive inside scoop that he has created the new uniforms at Le Place d’Armes (www.hotelplacedarmes.com), one of Old Montreal’s most stylish boutique hotels.

Montreal makeup artist and girl-about-town Lisa Sim has been using her namesake cosmetics line, Sim Minerals, on some of the city’s most beautiful faces. Her full collection is available through her website (simminerals.com), or you can buy her signature loose mineral foundation ($45) at the W Hotel’s Away Spa (901 Square Victoria, 514-395-3160, wmontrealhotel.com). The […]

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